General Details

Area: 10,140 sq.km.

Capital: Liberia

Distance from San Jose: 281 km

Climate: Warm, average temperature 28 C

Altitude: 25 mts above sea level

Guanacaste is one of the largest but yet one of the least populated provinces of Costa Rica. It is primarily known for its cattle production, but also for its spectacular Pacific coast beaches.

Tourist Attractions: Santa Rosa National Park, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Palo Verde National Park, Barra Honda National Park, Guaitil (Chorotega Indian Ceramic)


Real Estate Web Sites

ABC Real Estate - http://www.abccostarica.com/ - Property listings and vacation rentals.

Better Homes Real Estate - http://www.betterhomescostarica.com/ - Listings for homes, land, and commercial properties.

Century 21 By the Lake - http://c21lakearenal.com/ - Provides residential, commercial, and land listings, with area maps and general country information.

Century 21 Marina Trading Post - http://www.century21costarica.net/ - Listings of residential and commercial properties for sale or rent, with brief information about the area and the company.

Coldwell Banker - http://www.coldwellbankercr.com/ - Realtor at Playas del Coco offers homes, condos, lots, farms, and commercial properties.

Conchtico Real Estate - http://www.conchticorealty.com/ - Agent Chiqui Yaniz. Include a company profile, listings and client referrals.

Hacienda Pinilla - http://www.haciendapinilla.com/ - Planned luxury gated resort community on 4500 acres Playa Avellanas. 18 holes golf course.

Hidden Coast Realty - http://www.hiddencoastrealty.com/ - Coastal property listings, also area info and agent profiles.

Lent Eckhart Properties - http://lenteckhartproperties.com/ - Represents buyers and sellers of all types of properties. Includes listings and location map.

Marina Real Condominiums - http://www.marinareal.com/ - Features information on sales and rentals, photos plus a description of the location.

Moran Real Estate - http://moranlakearenal.com/ - Agent Terry Moran offers information about the lake area and listings for residential and development properties.

Playa Conchal Resort - http://www.reservaconchal.com/ - Development project with plans for a hotel, golf course and condominiums.

Puerto Pedregosa - http://www.pedregosa.com/ - A beach community development project south of Conchal and north of Tamarindo.

Pura Jungla Eco-Community - http://www.lapurajungla.com/ - A 250 acre private reserve selling ocean view lots near Paraiso.

Rancho Playa Negra - http://www.ranchoplayanegra.com/ - A development project selling ocean view lots, also has vacation rental homes listings.

RE/MAX Ocean Surf - http://www.remax-oceansurf-cr.com/ - Country facts, residential, commercial, and development property listings.

RE/MAX Resort Properties Papagayo - http://www.costaricafirst.com/ - Offers homes, condos, lots, hotels and farms. Also rental listings.

Surfside Properties - http://www.surfsidepropertiescostarica.com/ - Find out about vacation rentals, beach and waterfront lots for sale, and property management services.


Travel and Tourism Web Sites

Aparthotel Mirador de Samara - http://www.miradordesamara.com/ - Six apartments, restaurant, pool. Offers area tours, wedding packages.

Arenal Kioro - http://www.hotelarenalkioro.com/ - Offers 53 rooms and suites with restaurant, pool, spa and gym.

Bahia Pez Vela Resort - http://www.bahiapezvela.com/ - Vacation house beach rental villas at Playa Ocotal.

Bahía Esmeralda - http://www.hotelbahiaesmeralda.com/ - Apartments and villas at Potrero Beach, pool, photo gallery and room rates.

Boyeros Hotel - http://www.hotelboyeros.com/ - 70 rooms, pool and restaurant, offers tours to many of the parks and attractions throughout Guanacaste.

Cabinas Las Olas - http://www.cabinaslasolas.co.cr/ - Ten rooms, restaurant, area activities at Playa Avellanas.

Cala Luna - http://www.calaluna.com/ - Rooms and villas, restaurant and pool at Playa Langosta. Includes area information and rates.

Casa Rural Aroma de Campo - http://www.aromadecampo.com/ - Located close to the main entrance of the National Park Rincon de la Vieja. Offers four guest rooms for groups, families and retreats.

Casa Tucan - http://www.casatucan.net/ - Hotel and restaurant located beachfront Playa Guiones. Studios with kitchenettes and AC.

Chalet Nicolas - http://chaletnicholas.com/ - Nuevo Arenal. Nonsmoking bed and breakfast. Provides photos and information on area attractions.

Costa Palmera Beach Estate - http://www.costapalmera.us/ - Offers beachfront guest quarters at Playa Grande. Includes photos and area activities.

Costa Rica Villas - http://costaricavillas.com/ - Offers private luxury villas overlooking Playas Ocotal and Panama.

Cristal Azul - http://www.cristalazul.com/ - Oceanview cabinas at Playa San Miguel. Photos and descriptions of rooms, with rates and information on outdoor activities.

Ecoplaya Beach Resort - http://www.ecoplaya.com/ - Describes tour packages and rates, also offers a wind and kite surfing school.

El Milagro - http://www.elmilagro.com/ - Bungalows, pool and restaurant, area tours, rates and reservations.

Flamingo Beach Resort - http://www.resortflamingobeach.com/ - 91 rooms and suites with AC, pool, fitness center, restaurant, and children's play area.

Gilded Iguana Resort - http://www.gildediguana.com/ - Offers outdoor adventure expeditions and sportfishing tours at Guiones Beach.

Hacienda Lodge Guachipelin - http://www.guachipelin.com/ - Volcano watching and naturalist activities, horseback riding, hot springs and waterfall tours.

Hotel Bula Bula - http://www.hotelbulabula.com/ - Rooms with king beds, AC, restaurant and bar at Playa Grande.

Hotel El Velero - http://www.costaricahotel.net/ - On the beach at Playa Hermosa, restaurant, sailboat tours.

Hotel Esperanza - http://www.hotelesperanza.com/ - Bed and breakfast, restaurant, at Playa Carrillo.

Hotel Giada - http://www.hotelgiada.net/ - Thirteen rooms with AC, swimming pool, restaurant.

Hotel Guanacaste - http://www.higuanacaste.com/ - Offers 30 standard rooms or a camping area with bathrooms. Includes information on tours and vacation packages for nearby attractions.

Hotel Iguanazul - http://www.iguanazul.com/ - Rooms at Playa Junquillal, rates and area activities. Also condos for sale.

Hotel Luna Azul - http://www.hotellunaazul.com/ - Seven bungalows with AC, restaurant, pool and health center. Offers turtle tours to Ostional.

Hotel Nahua - http://www.hotelnahua.com/ - Fully equipped apartments within walking distance to the beach. Offers swimming pool, BBQ area, car parking.

Hotel Pasatiempo - http://www.hotelpasatiempo.com/ - 14 bunglalows with AC, pool, restaurant and bar. Photos, local map and area activities. [English/Spanish]

Hotel Punta Islita - http://www.hotelpuntaislita.com/ - Ocean view rooms and villas with private jacuzzis, restaurant, bar, gym and massage spa.

Hotel Sugar Beach - http://www.sugar-beach.com/ - Standard rooms, suites and villas at Playa Pan de Azucar.

Hotel Tilawa - http://hotel-tilawa.com/ - Windsurfing and kiteboarding at the lake. Rooms and apartments, restaurant, massage and swimming pool.

Hotel Tropicana - http://www.tropicanacr.com/ - 44 rooms with AC, restaurant, pool, jacuzzi and gym. Photo gallery and rates.

Hotelito Si Si Si - http://www.hotelitosisisi.com/ - An upscale, small boutique hotel at Playa Junquillal.

Jardin del Eden - http://www.jardindeleden.com/ - Villas and apartments with restaurant and pool. Includes rates and area info.

La Carolina Lodge - http://www.lacarolinalodge.com/main.html - 170 acre ranch on the eastern slopes of the Tenorio volcano offers horseback riding, tropical forest tours and waterfalls.

La Mansion Inn Arenal - http://www.lamansionarenal.com/ - Resort cottages overlooking the lake, infinity pool. Area info and tours.

Lagarta Lodge - http://www.lagarta.com/ - Hotel and restaurant offering birdwatching tours in the Biological Reserve.

Las Avellanas Villas - http://www.lasavellanasvillas.com/ - Small villas near the beach. Photos, directions, and rates.

Las Brisas del Pacifico - http://www.brisas.net/ - Beach front hotel and restaurant offering local and regional tours.

Mono Congo Lodge - http://www.monocongolodge.com/ - Five guest rooms with balconies, restaurant near Playa Negra.

Nosara Beach Hotel - http://www.nosarabeachhotel.com/ - Beachfront accommodations with pool. Also offers surfing, rain forest tours, fishing, and real estate.

Ocotal Beach Resort - http://www.ocotalresort.com/ - Standard rooms, suites and apartments. 3 restaurants, 3 swimming pools. Links to onsite scuba diving and sportfishing boats.

Playa Grande Inn - http://www.playagrandeinn.com/ - Offers apartments, standard rooms and suites. Includes surfing information and room rates.

Tamarindo Vista Villas - http://www.tamarindovistavillas.com/ - Rooms and villas, with pool and restaurant.

The Sanctuary Resort and Spa - http://www.thesanctuaryresort.com/ - Villas, condos and rental homes at Playa Azul, rates and reservations, travel directions.

Tico Adventure Lodge - http://www.ticoadventurelodge.com/ - Offers nine rooms, a pool house and an apartment. Includes information about area tours, and a surf shop with lessons and board rentals.

Sueno del Mar Bed and Breakfast - http://www.sueno-del-mar.com/ - Suites and casitas with pool, on Playa Langosta. Offers wedding and family reunion packages.

Villa Alegre - http://www.villaalegrecostarica.com/ - Luxury villa with creative interior decor on Playa Langosta. Wedding, honeymoon and golf packages, photos.

Villa Decary - http://www.villadecary.com/ - Inn and bungalows near Nuevo Arenal, overlooking the lake. Gives information on area activities.

The beaches of Ocotal, Hermosa, Coco, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo are the most popular. Costa Rica, paradise awaits!